Poor Kartika Sari Dewi Shukarno. She hasn't received her much dreaded caning, but she already lost her job & husband. She is now said to be writing a book about her experiences and plans to publish it someday.

Kartika Sari Dewi Shukarno, who has been sentenced to six strokes of rotan by the Kuantan Syariah Court for drinking beer, is planning to write a book about the trials of tribulations of her life.

Kartika, 33, started penning her thoughts in August last year, the day the religious authorities took her in a van from her house in Perak to the Kajang Prison in Selangor to carry out the sentence.

“Although the van later made a u-turn back to my home as the authorities have decided to postpone the caning, the experience and anticipation have left such a huge impact that I decided to pen down my thoughts.

“I jotted down what I was feeling while I was still inside the van. When I was sent home that day, I suddenly felt the urge to perform Umrah in Mecca.

“In Mecca, I will pray to Allah to give me strength and courage to pick up the pieces and carry on with my life," said Kartika just before breaking down in tears.

Sources close to Kartika said she had lost her job because of the court case, and that she was now in the process of divorcing her Singaporean husband as the long wait for the sentencing had taken a toll on their long distance relationship.

The Syariah High Court had on July 20 last year ordered the mother of two to be caned six strokes and fined RM5,000 after being caught drinking at a hotel in Cherating in 2008.

Although she paid the fine, the sentencing has yet to be carried out.

Kartika, who had earlier received a 14-day umrah package from Gemilang Travel and Tours in conjunction with the opening of its new office in Ara Ampang commercial complex, said she would write about her life experiences as a lesson for the younger generation.

Kartika said she hoped to perform Umrah in March after her divorce was finalised, adding however that she was still hopeful for a reconciliation with her estranged husband.

“Right now, I need peace of mind. I hope to find it in Mecca," she said.